Weighing-machine.



No. 802,271. PATENTBD OCT. 17, 1905 G. H. DENISON.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 23. 1905.

3 SHBETS SHEET 1.

WITNESSES A I I I 'mvfizuma 3 W.W VWMMDWM ATTORNEYS No. 802,271.PATENTED OOT. 1'7, 1905. G. H. DENISON.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

l I I "HTTOBN'EYS ANDREW B Gum-w co. Px-KYKLLIYNOGRIFNERS WASWNGYON n. c

PATENTED OCT. 17, 1905.

G. H. DENISON. WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23. 1905.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

WlTNESSES ATTORNEYS v Fm D11@Q GEORGE HENRY DENISON, OF LEEDS, ENGLAND.

WEIGHING- Specification of Letters Patent.

MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 1'7, 1905.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No. 251,674:-

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE HENRY DENI- SON, engineer, a subject of theKing of Great 1 Britain and Ireland, residing at Hunslet Foundry, Leeds,in the county of York, England, have invented new and usefulImprovements in WVcighing-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in weighing machines and theiradjuncts, by which loads have their weights automatically recorded.

The object of my invention is to provide an automatically recording orregistering weighing-machine and its adjuncts such that an unskilledattendant may be intrusted with its management without fear of incorrectresults, his only duty being the turning of a handle or handles.

I will describe with reference to the accompanying three sheets ofdrawings first an arrangement according to my invention which dispenseswith the necessity of an inclined rail or tram Way.

Figure 1 is a general plan more or less diagrammatic of aweighing-machine constructed according to my invention, all theoperating levers and handles being shown approximately in mid-position.Fig. 2 is a rear elevation showing a truck on the weighing-machine andretained in position by an arrangement of arms or levers andcontrolling-cam before the recording mechanism has been set in motion.Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position into which the arms orlevers have been moved by the rotation of the recording-shaft in orderto allow the truck to move or to be moved oif the weigh-table. Fig. 4 isa rear elevation showing the fulcrum end of the steelyard. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal elevation showing the steelyard and other parts of theapparatus connected therewith. Fig. 6 is an elevation viewed from thelineXY in Fig. 1 of the cam and levers by which the steelyard isgripped. Fig. 7 is a similar elevation showing the measuring-quadrant inaction. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the quadrant returned by thecam and the recording-wheel moved proportionately round. Fig. 9 is aview similar to Fig. 6, showing the steelyard released. Fig. 10 is anelevation of the mercurial-balance and dash-pot, and Fig. 11 is anenlarged section of the dash-pot and its plunger. Fig. 12 is an enlargedview of the cam shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 13 is a slde viewcorrespondoff the weigh-table.

ing to Fig. 12, showing the spring-stud and slot of the reversing-gear.Figs. 14, 15, and 16 show an alternative arrangement of mechanism forretaining a truck on an inclined weigh-table until the weight has beenrecorded. Fig. 2 shows in elevation how the mechanism shown in Figs. 2and 8 may be operated by an eccentric, if desired.

The same references are used to indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures, and the arrows show the direction of rotation. l n order tosecure clearness, all the figures are more or less diagrammatic, and insome figures-as, for instance, in Figs. 2 and 3-"por tions are cut awayto save space.

A load to be weighed is brought along a tramway or other suitable courseand pushed onto the weigh-table, which may be slightly inclined, theload being held stationary against a bufifer or stop. hen the weight ofthe load has been recorded, but not before, the said load is permittedto automatically pass hen the load is resting in position against thebuffer or stop on the weigh-table, the attendant proceeds to record theload by means of a handle pivoted on the frame of the machine. Apredetermined number of turns of this handle puts the weighing mechanismthrough the several phases of its action as follows: First, the loadraises or rather has raised the steelyard, the latter coming to a promptstand by the action of (preferably) a mercurial balance or other similardash-pot action, Figs. 5, 10, and 11; second, the arms of the mechanismfor gripping the steelyard and holding it firmly in its raised positionthen come into action, Fig. 6; third, the measuring-gear, consisting ofa pivoted quadrant device, falls over and measures the height of the nowfixed steelyard, Fig. 7; fourth, the quadrant is returned and made toregisteinthe angle through which it had moved on a finely-dividedratchet-wheel, and so record the true weight of the load, Fig. 8; fifth,the steelyard gripping gear is then released, Fig. 9, and, sixth, thewhole mechanism is brought to its original position and the loadreleased. At any time after the steelyard has been gripped the stop onthe weigh-table can be arranged to be withdrawn by the mechanism and theload allowed to pass off from the weigh-table, after which the said stopmay be replaced. W hen the use of an inclined plane or track is notsuitable, an arm or other device may be so arranged as to allow the loadto be moved ofi the weigh-table, (by hand,) the said arm being operatedby the hand-wheel. The arrangement illustrated shows this particular onein which the inclined track is not relied on to cause the load toautomatically pass from the weigh-table. The whole arrangement is suchthat the attendant cannot touch or get onto the load or in any wayinterfere with the correctness of the recorded weight, the turning ofthe handle or hand wheel (clear of everything) being all he has to dowhen recording the weight.

Cams or their equivalents B, C, and D, mounted on the main shaft A ofthe apparatus, actuate the various pieces of mechanism, and theseseveral portions are for the sake of distinction designated on thedrawings by a number in connection with their cam-letter. Thus all partsB B and so on, belong to the same gear worked by the cam B.

The attendants handle E is carried on an arm or wheel E, mounted on ashaft E suitably supported on the standard or frame of the machine, andthis shaft carries the pinion E, which is in gear with the spur-wheel Eon the main shaft A. (See Figs. 12 and 13.)

The weigh-table F is arranged lengthwise longitudinally with the track Fand has the usual system of compound levers which terminates at the endF under the rear end of the steelyard G.

The steelyard has widely-spread fulcrum-.

points at G and G so that its extreme end G will move steadily. At G" isarranged a mercurial balance (supported on the machineframe) whosedash-pot action steadies the movement of the steelyard. The free end Grof the steelyard lies close to the machine-frame near the grippingdevice. Fig. 10 shows the float or plunger G of the dash-pot standing inthe mercury G6. The float or plunger G is hollow, and the head of thefloat has an airhole G Fig. 11, and in the bottom thereof at G is acontracted orifice, these insuring a steady action of the steelyard. Thelength of the float or plunger is such as not to disturb the surface ofthe mercury in its movements. Suspended from the steelyard is asteadying-ball G, which is made hollow to receive adjusting-weights. andat the point of suspension (see Fig. 5) is a sliding piece G capable ofbeing adjusted in position along the steelyard by-the screw G and fixedin its adjusted position by fixing-screws.

The cam B governs the grippinggear through the intervention of theheavilyweighted end B of the bell-crank lever, (fulcrumed at B whoseshorter arm B when released by the cam B securely grips, bymeans of thetie-rod B, the end G of the steelyard G. This tie-rod B" draws the leverB (fulcrumed at B) tight, thus gripping the steelyard firmly against thefixed part of the apparatus. (SeeFig. 6.) An adjustingor sleeve nutshould be lixed on the rod B, as shown at B to adjust the length of therod 15*. The cam is so arranged that the grip is not given before thesteelyard has taken up the proper position due to the load. Directly thesteelyard is gripped the measuring phase commences by the cam C retiringand allowing a bell-crank lever, fulcrumed at C with arms C and C, tocome into play. This bell-crank draws over the quadrant (connected to Cby the tie-rod (1*, fitted with an adjustable sleeve-nut C for adjustingits length,) which quadrant falls against the steelyard. The shape ofthis quadrant and the position of its axis (1 (see Fig. 7) are such asallows it to fall through equal angular distances for equal movements ofthe steelyard, which steelyard is also arranged to lift through equalangular distances for equal increments of load, due to equaldisplacements of mercury by the plunger G (See Fig. 7.) It is importantthat the quadrant shall fall with promptitude, but with as light a blowas possible on the steelyard, lost it should move it and measureerroneously. To this end I mount a short-weighted lever C, whose fulcrumis at (J and whose downward fall is limited by the stud O. This lever islifted, as in Fig. 8, on the return stroke of the cam and is ready togive a prompt start to the quadrant; but it leaves it to fall alone witha minim um of momentum. The quadrant having fallen forward as far as thethen position of the steelyard has allowed, the cam C continues torevolve and forces back the quadrant to its normal position or zeropoint of measurement, as shown in Fig. 8, where the steelyard zeroposition is pointed out by the dotted lines. In traveling back itcarries with it proportionately a wheel G, mounted on the same axis Cand thus records on the periphery of this wheel the amount last measuredby the fall of the quadrant. This is accomplished by havingfinely-divided teeth on the wheel O supplemented with a set of ratchets,(shown at 0 which greatly increase the effective subdivisions. larnon-return ratchel's are provided at 0", and to prevent overrunning abrake G with a spring-washer or like adjustment at O is provided. Thebrake which nips the sides of the wheel 0 in its forked endis'constantly in action, being lightly secured by a bolt/C The adjustingor sleeve nut C renders it possible to throw the quadrant back exactlyto its Zero point and no farther. From the axis of the wheel G suitablegear is connected up to any desired counter. This is not shown, as itsaction will be understood without complicating the drawings. The nextphase is the release of the gripping-gear. which will be easily followedfrom an inspection of Fig. 9, where the cam has so far continued itsrevolution as to have lifted the gripping-lever B away from steelyard G.

It now remains to describe a leading and important feature of the wholearrangementviz., the mode of making sure of the record- Forsecuritysimi- 7 ing of the weight of every single load before it passesfrom the weigh-table. This is forced on the attendant while he works thehandle of the recording mechanism. On Fig. 1 it will be seen that thereis a rock-shaft D extending along the center of the track and providedwith arms or stops D and D at each end. This shaft D is fitted so nearthe ground that trucks can run on the track clear of the shaft, but notso with regard to the clearance of these stops D and D which, if notmoved, one or the other will engage with the axles of the trucks. Inorder to pass atruck onto and off the weigh-table, the shaft must berocked or partially rotated so as to move the arm I) at the entrance endof the table downward out of range of the axle of the truck. As thetruck gains access to the table the arm D at the other end of therock-shaftis at the same time brought up into position in the path ofthe forward axle of the truck to prevent the truck from running off theweightable while the weight thereof is being registered. That havingbeen accomplished, the shaft D must be rotated in the other direction,whereupon the stop-arm D is depressed to below the shaft-level, thetruck being then free to pass off the weigh-table. As one of thesemovements of the shaft D can be worked only by the recording apparatus,it follows that every truck must be dealt with by that mechanism. Thisis effected'as follows: On the rocking shaft D is an arm D, which isconnected by a rod D to an arm D-on a rock-shaft D carrying another armD, which is connected by a rod D to a lever fulcrumed at D. The rod Dimparts, through the movement of the arm D, rocking motion to the lever,fulcrumed at D, whose outer end carries the roller D", which is acted onby the cam D. The cam D is integral with or fixed to a plate D fast onthe main shaft A. (See Figs. 1, 12, and 13.) A complete rotation of thiscam and plate from the position shown in Fig. 2 throws thetruck-releasing mechanism (the D series) into the position shown in Fig.3, in which position the truck whose weight has been recorded can berolled off the weigh-table. A springcatch D in the pin of the roller D"has now fallen to the bottom of-a slot or pathway D in the cam-plate Dand all further movement of the hand-wheel E is stopped for the timebeing. The truck having left the weigl table, the attendant allows thenext truck of the series to pass onto the weigh-table; but this he canonly do by returning the rocking shaft D to its first position, Fig. 2,as the stop D prevents the truck obtaining access to the table. Toaccomplish this, he moves the reversing-lever D (suitably connected witha rocking shaft D connected to the rod D") over to the opposite side,(shown in Fig. 2,) and this he is able to do at this particular positionof the cam-plate D This action while admitting the truck onto the tablealso brings the arm D into position to prevent the truck from runningoff it without being weighed. \Vhcn roller D on the lever fulcrumed at Dis raised, (by the reversing action',) a central pin or stud of thespring-catch D is pushed back against its spring and is also pushed upthe inclined path D in the cam-plate D until it enters the deep recess Dat the top of the pathway D. The shaft A can now be rotated by means ofthe handle E, another inclined pathway D allowing the springcatch D" togradually mount once more to the face of the cam-plate D ready to againenter into the slot D when the next cycle of the operation is completed.The extent of movement of the actuating-handle is such that ample timeis given for each successive cycle of operations. As before explained. aspring-catch D is arranged to stop the hand-wheel at the right place.(this is where 1 reverse,) and shortly before this a suitable signal maybe arranged to give warning. The saidspring-catch would of courserequire to be raised at the next start, and this is done automaticallywhen the attendant pulls up the handle I), as already described. Thewhole of the automatic mechanism is arranged in a lock-up hub. This isnot shown but will be understood as to its position by examining thebed-plate on the right of Fig. 1. A covered way (see dotted lines inFig. protects the truck when on the weigh-talfle. The handles E and Dneed be the only items left exposed, all others being under coverexcepting the rocking shaft D and its stops, which are made strongenough to resist rough usage.

hen it isdesired that the truck may be allowed to roll away as soon asthe weight is recorded, an inclined track and weigh-table is provided.Such an arrangement is shown by Figs. 14., 15, and 16, in which D and Darc,

as before, stops; but instead of rocking they slide off and on theirrespeztive positions on the rail. D is a double-ended levercorresponding to the rocking shaft D in Fig. l for working the slidingstops last mentioned. The horizontal rod at D couples D to D (as inFig. 1) and so connects all with the recording apparatus. he ends of thelever D enter (loosely) slots in the stops D and D (see Fig. 16,)so asto allow the weigh-table to take up its proper position due to the loadthereon. The van/lax operand is practically the same as before vi h,when a load has been weighed and has left the weigh-table the action ofthe rod i) has pushed the stop D (in the rear) across the rear stoppingposition and all is blocked there. To again gain access to the table,the attendant pushes over the handle I Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and in sodoing clears the line at D but blocks it in front. The weighing andrecording of the new load clears the line at D and blocks it at D", andso on. As there would be considerable friction in moving the slidingstops D and D,

automatic withdrawal of the arm D which restores the parts to the firstposition, and so on. This arrangement, which is designed for an inclinedtrack (on which the trucks are able to restart themselves) dispenseswith an attendant, the reeordingmechanism beingdriven by any convenientbelt or by a convenient motor, electrical or otherwise. In thisarrangement an eccentric D or its equivalent (see Fig. 2) is made totake the place of the cam D to rock the lever D direct, as shown. Theangular advance of the eccentric must be such as to release the weighedtruck directly the steelyard is properly gripped in order to allow timefor the return stroke to accomplish the next admission to theweigh-table from the rear.

The line right across the weigh-table is never clear, for when there isa clear approach to this table there is a block in front, and when theline is clear in front there is a block behindand this must beunderstood throughout.

Referring to the steelyard Gr, the weight G may be suitably placed torepresent the tare weight of the truck, so that the net weight may becorrectly recorded.

I claim as my invention- 1. An automatic weighing and registeringmachine, comprising a weighing-table and means for blocking and clearingthe way across said table, in combination with a steelyard, a dash-potfor steadying the same, means for gripping and releasing the steelyard,and

means for recording the weight indicated thereby, all of said meansconnected to and worked from one shaft.

2. An automatic weighing and registering machine, comprising aweighing-table and means for blocking and clearing the way across saidtable, consisting of a shaft, means on said shaft for engaging the bodyto be weighed while on said table, and means to prevent another bodyfrom passing onto said table at the same time, in combination with amain operating-shaft, a cam thereon, and means connected therewith andwith said blocking and clearing means for operating the latter.

3. An automatic weighing and registering machine, comprising aweighing-table. and means for blocking and clearing the way across saidtable, consisting of a shaft, a projection thereon adapted to stop thebody after it passes onto the weighing-table and a projection at anangle thereto adapted to prevent a second body from passing onto saidtable, and

means for rocking said projections on said shaft to permit the firstbody to pass olf and the second body to pass onto said table.

4. In an auton'iatic weighing and registering machine, a weighingtable,means for blocking and clearing the way across said table, a steelyard,two spread fulcrum-points therefor, means for steadying the movement ofsaid steelyard and means comprising a hollow body for adjustingpurposes, secured to said steelyard by means passing through saidsteadying means.

5. An automatic weighing and registering machine, comprising aweighing-table,a main operating-shaft and means connected with saidshaft for blocking and clearing the way across said table, incombination with a steelyard, a dash-pot for steadying the same, meansfor gripping and releasing said steelyard and a cam on said mainoperating-shaft for operating all of said means.

6. An automatic weighing and registering machine, comprising aweighing-table, a main operating-shaft; a cam thereon and meanseonnectcd with said cam for blocking and clearing the way across saidtable, in combination with a steelyard, a dash-pot for steadying thesame, means for gripping and releasing said steelyard and means formeasuring and recording the movement of said steelyard, all of saidmeans operated from said main operating-shaft.

7. An automatic weighing and registering machine, comprising a mainoperating-shaft, a weighing-table, and a steelyard, means on said tablefor blocking the way across said table, and means for operating thesame,means for gripping said steelyard, means for measuring the movementthereof, means for releasing said steelyard, and means for clearing theway across said table, all of said means being operated by said mainoperating-shaft.

8. An automatic weighing and registering machine, including a mainoperating-shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a grooved plate on saidshaft and means connected therewith to prevent reversal of the rotationof said shaft until the cycle of operations is complete.

9. In an automatic weighing and registering machine, a mainoperating-shaft, a steelyard, and a weighing-table, an inclined tramwayrunning across said table, and means connected with and operated by saidmain shaft to bring about a continuous cycle of operations withoutallowing an unweighed truck to pass forward.

In testimony whereof I. have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE HENRY DICNISON.

Witnesses:

l/VILLIAH SNowDoN, HENRY BEDFORD Jo'wE'rT.

